Ethical Hacker Salary in India [2024 Latest Edition]

Ethical or white hat hackers are cybersecurity specialists hired to test the security of a company's networks, systems, and applications. They use the same tools and techniques as black hat hackers but to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that attackers could exploit. They work closely with IT teams to fix these issues and improve the organization's overall security. The roles and responsibilities handled by ethical hackers can vary depending on the industry, company and job profile.

Some of the common duties of an ethical hacker are listed below:

• Conducting penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications.
• Developing and implementing security solutions to protect against potential attacks.
• Performing security assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of existing security measures.
• Investigating and analyzing security incidents and breaches to identify the root cause and recommend remediation measures.
• Staying updated about the latest security threats and trends to ensure systems and networks are adequately protected.
• Communicating security risks and vulnerabilities to management and other stakeholders to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Collaborating with other security professionals and stakeholders to develop comprehensive security strategies.

However, it should be noted that cybersecurity and ethical hacking are not the same. Any aspiring ethical hacker must understand the difference between cybersecurity vs. ethical hacking. 

Before we jump onto the exciting part about salary of ethical hacker in India, let’s first dive into the core reason that there has been such a surge in demand for ethical hackers and why they are being paid so generously. With the growing use of technology, smartphones, and UPI payments, the one thing that has grown alongside is cybercrime, such as phishing and data loss.

As per a report by IBM, India saw a massive 29,500 breaches between March 2021 and March 2022, with the average per-record cost of a data breach hitting an eleven-year high. Reportedly, Indian firms lost a whopping ₹176 million on average in the financial year 2021-22 to data breaches, a 25% increase from ₹140 million in FY20 and up 6.6% from ₹165 million in FY21.

The top three industries that recorded the highest per-record costs in India are Industrial, Services and IT. Also, the global cost of cybercrime is rising and is estimated to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. There have been several instances of hacking losses in India over the years.

To help you understand that, here are the top 5 data breach cases in India:

• BigBasket: In 2020, the Bangalore-based online grocery platform Big Basket suffered a data breach that leaked the details of their almost 20 million customers, including email IDs, passwords, PINs, phone numbers, addresses, etc. Their data was put on sale on the dark web for almost $40,000.
   
• Punjab National Bank (PNB): In 2018, fraudsters used malware to gain unauthorized access to the bank's computer systems and carried out fraudulent transactions worth over $1.8 billion.
   
• Upstox: It is India’s second-largest brokerage firm. In 2021 it suffered a data breach, where the contact and KYC details of 2.5 million customers were leaked.
   
• AADHAR: As per the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) global risks report 2019, the government ID database, Aadhaar, reportedly suffered multiple breaches that potentially compromised the records of all 1.1 billion registered citizens. 
   
• Justdial: In 2019, it faced a data breach in which the personal information of over 100 million users was compromised. This included sensitive data such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and addresses. The data was on sale on the dark web and was reportedly sold for over $1,000.

These incidents highlight the need for strong cybersecurity measures and skilled professionals in ethical hacking. This has resulted in companies offering attractive certified ethical hacker salary to keep up with the rising demand for cybersecurity professionals.

With the right skill set, it'll take less time to become an Ethical Hacker. India has seen a significant increase in demand for ethical hackers in recent years, thanks to the growing emphasis on cybersecurity. When it comes to ethical hackers' salaries in India, it is safe to say that it is on the rise. The average annual salary of ethical hackers in India is ₹5,739,422. To have more clarity about the ethical hacking salary part let’s discuss what are the factors that affect it.

The salary of ethical hackers varies based on several factors, including experience. Here is an overview of the range of hacker salaries in India based on experience:

• Entry-level: With less than 1 year of experience, on average, ethical hacker in India earns around ₹450,000.
   
• Early-level: With 1 to 4 years of experience, on average, an ethical hacker in India earns around ₹5,739,422.
   
• Mid-level: With 5 to 9 years of experience, on average, an ethical hacker in India earns around ₹7,136,190.
   
• Senior-level: With more than 10 to 19 years of experience, on average, ethical hacker in India earns around ₹8,674,900.

It's worth noting that salary ranges can vary based on the industry, location, and specific skills of the ethical hacker. However, these figures provide a general idea of the earning potential in the field so that you get an idea of how to become an ethical hacker. You can earn more depending on the certifications and the experience you have. Apart from the base salary, the salary package also includes bonuses. With more experience or professional certifications, this pay could go up significantly. Therefore, freshers or professionals must invest in their knowledge and skills to get better salaries and job opportunities in this field.

The location where you work can affect your pay to a large extent, which holds true within India itself. In this section, we'll explore the ethical hacker salary, India's major cities. 

These average salary figures are taken from PayScale and are subject to change. Thus, it is evident from these statistics that ethical hackers in Mumbai earn more than the national average. The lowest salaries can be found in Pune and Bengaluru.

Ethical hacking is a growing field, which is why it offers a variety of job titles that vary in salary depending on the role and level of experience. Here are some of the popular job titles in ethical hacking and average figures for ethical hacking jobs salary in India:

Your salary is highly influenced by the type of industry you work in, whether it is software or manufacturing, as each industry has its own distinct pay scales and standards. It's essential to research and understands the industry-specific salary range before pursuing a career in ethical hacking. Let’s take a look at the white hat hacker salary in India in major hiring industries and companies in India:

Last, but one of the major factors that influence an ethical hacker's salary is the specific skills one possesses. Some of the high-demand skills for ethical hacking and the corresponding salary are:

These are some of the skills that are valued in the field of ethical hacking. With this data, it's clear that there are a lot of opportunities for career growth and advancement in this exciting field. Whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced professional, there's always room to learn and grow in your career.

Now that you understand the various factors that affect the average salary of ethical hacker in India, it's important to focus on honing and upskilling your skills. Whether you're a fresher or have a certain amount of experience, there are always new industry-relevant tools and technologies to learn. By continuously growing your knowledge and skills, you can make yourself more marketable and increase your salary potential.

Many resources are available on Careervira to help you improve your skills, from online courses to learn guides to learn advices. Take advantage of these opportunities to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies prevalent in the industry.

Remember, your salary is not only based on just location, experience or job title, but also on your skills and expertise. Investing in your skills not only enhances your chances of getting hired but also leads to better salary packages and career growth opportunities. So take charge of your career and commit to continuous learning to become a successful ethical hacker in India.